Camping & Climbing

Backpacks | Tents | Sleeping Bags | Climbing Gear | Accessories

One of our favorite things about New England is the proximity
that we have to some of our nation's best trail systems, mountain
parks, coastal waters, and breathtaking campsites. Some of the most
accessible and rewarding recreational activity happens right here
in our back yard. Come in and chat with us, we'd love to share
stories and maybe point you in a new direction. If you need gear,
supplies, or just some pointers for your next adventure, you'll be
in the right spot in our camping shop.

Camping trips are an integral part of the summer months, whether
you are venturing into the backyard with the kids or heading out on
a multi-day backpacking trip. Nothing quite compares to cooking
over an open campfire or sleeping under the stars. It goes without
saying that the most important piece of equipment for any camping
trip is your tent, but having the right tent will make a world of
difference. We have a wide selection of tents that offer different
perks depending on your unique camping needs; check out our
overview to see which tent will be the perfect fit for your camping
style!

TNF Homestead Shelter

The Homestead Shelter isn't necessarily a tent by traditional
standards, but it is a must-have for a multi-tent camp site. Big
enough to fit over a picnic table, it acts as the campsite common
area, offering a place for everyone to gather together even if the
weather doesn't cooperate. We recommend bringing it along on any
car camping excursion, and it's also ideal for picnics, festivals,
and long sunny days at the beach.

Big Agnes Gilpin Falls MtnGLO

This large 4-person tent is perfect for family camping, but it
also has an unusual trait that makes it quite possibly the most fun
tent in our store. Strands of LED lights are integrated into the
tent body, illuminating your living space with just the touch of a
button. The Joey T55 power supply is included, which can be used to
charge the lights along with any other electronics you bring with
you. This is the perfect tent for car camping; kids will love the
fun atmosphere of the lit-up tent, and it's also great for
festivals (you'll never have to spend time searching for your
campsite!)

MSR Elixir 3

This tent is the perfect choice for those of you who typically
camp close to the car, but also want the option of venturing out on
longer trips without a huge tent weighing you down. With a
three-person capacity, you can head out with a couple of friends in
tow or even take the family. It gives you the option to car camp
with a group, but at under 6 pounds, it's light enough to take with
you on a hiking trip to someplace more remote than your standard
campground.

Big Agnes Fly Creek 2 Platinum

Big Agnes refers to their Fly Creek 2 Platinum as the"lightest
free standing double-walled tent." At well under 2 pounds, it is
barely-there-light and stuffs down smaller than any other tent we
sell, making it ideal for long treks and multi-day camping trips.
It is nice and roomy for the solo backpacker, and we always
recommend a tent like this over a single-person option since you'll
have the versatility to camp with a friend if you so choose.

You don't have to wait until your child can walk to get him or her
out on the trail with you! Child carriers allow you to share your
love for the outdoors with your baby without sacrificing comfort
for you or your little one. These packs are built just like
technical backpacking packs, with comfortable suspension and
adjustable, weight-distributing hip belts and straps. The only
difference is that the main compartment is designed to carry your
most precious cargo! As long as your child can sit upright
unassisted, you are ready to head out into the wild and explore
together. The seats are padded with additional straps to keep your
baby safely strapped in, and numerous storage compartments ensure
you'll always have space for snacks, toys, and all your hiking
essentials. We carry the Poco AG from Osprey and the Sapling from
THULE, both of which come with adjustable, removable stirrups, a
sunshade, and a washable drool pad.

THULE Sapling

The Sapling is a brand new product this year from THULE! The
fully adjustable hipbelt and backpanel make it easy for parents to
take turns carrying, and a sleeve for a hydration reservoir ensures
that everyone stays cool and hydrated. There are plenty of storage
pockets for toys, snacks and more, one of which doubles as a
removable daypack. It even comes with a mirror so you can check in
on your beloved cargo while on the go.

Osprey Poco AG

There are three different options with the Poco AG: the standard,
plus, and premium. Osprey's award-winning AG (anti-gravity)
suspension system is highly adjustable, allowing just about anyone
to carry it. It also offers superior comfort, with a mesh backpanel
that allows for airflow and breathability. The Plus and Premium
packs come with a mirror and additional storage space, and the
Premium version comes with a removable daypack.

This weekend, June 6th and 7th, is Trails Weekend, meaning there
are over 200 events statewide to explore, clean up, and celebrate
our local hiking trails. Connecticut has 139 state parks and
forests, offering endless opportunities for new terrain no matter
where you live. Events range from group hikes to volunteer trail
maintenance meetups, and there are many events happening right here
in Fairfield County. Check out the Norwalk River Valley Trail,
built in sections around Wilton and Norwalk, projected to connect
from Calf Pasture Beach to Rodgers Park in Danbury. Click here to
learn more and find an event for your family to attend. Be prepared
for these trail events with gear to keep you safe and comfortable
on the trail!

We've learned a lot from our fellow staff member Kate, who has
taught us that even the biggest trails might not be as hard as you
think. Kate shares her experience walking 2,185 miles and
completing the Appalachian Trail, a journey that most people only
imagine! Proper gear makes all the difference, even on the shortest
hikes. Her journey began at Springer Mountain in Georgia on April
1st and continued until she reached Mount Katahdin in Maine the
following September. When she set off on the trail it was snowy and
cold, but the weather soon turned to a rainy spring and finally a
beautiful summer. She hiked around 15 miles per day, and her pack
was an average weight of around 25 pounds. Surprisingly, she told
us that hiking in the woods for six months straight is not the
least bit lonely. "There are lot of other people hiking and
camping; you're never really alone. I met so many amazing people on
my trip," Kate remembered. We asked Kate if there was ever a point
at which she felt like quitting. "I never felt like quitting," she
said, "but every day until I reached Connecticut, I didn't know if
I was going to make it. Once I was in New England, my home region,
I realized how far I had come and knew that I could make it to
Maine." We asked Kate what advice she would give to anyone hiking
the trail now, and with a big smile she said, "Be strong! And have
self-confidence!"

Being adequately prepared is just as important for a weekend of
hiking and camping as it is for a multi-month trip. Since most of
us don't have six months to spare, we can still learn from the
trials and tribulations Kate endured. She shares with us the items
that were the most significant to her comfort and safety on the AT.
We recommend getting comfortable with your gear before embarking on
your hike; for example, give yourself some time to break in your
boots, and practice walking around wearing your pack with weight.
Here are the top five items on the trail you can't live
without:

A Comfortable Pair of Boots

Salomon X Ultra Mid 2
The boot is probably the most important piece of gear out on the
trail; your feet are at the core of your hike, and you need to keep
them happy! Kate recommends Salomon X Ultra Mid 2 for summer
hikes because it's lightweight enough for summer hiking, but at the
same time sturdy enough to protect your foot from injury. It has a
mid-cut ankle to give you the support you need without being too
bulky and hot. It is made with GORETEX so you won't have to worry
about getting wet on the trail. The gusseted tongue keeps debris
from entering the shoe, and an abrasion-resistant lining offers
breathability and allows the shoe to dry quickly. When choosing
your hiking boot, it is important to try different boots to see
which is the best fit for your unique foot. We have a pedorthist
here on staff to help you find the best boot for your hike!

A Well Organized Backpack

Osprey Aura/Atmos AG 50

For a full weekend of hiking, we recommend using a 50-liter pack.
It can easily fit your sleeping bag, pad, tent, extra layers, and
everything else you will need for your trip. We love the new Aura
and Atmos AG packs from Osprey. "AG" stands for anti-gravity, which
means that this pack has a seamless structure that automatically
contours to the body, offering the most comfortable fit and
unrestricted movement. The suspension, back panel, harness and
hipbelt are all considered to be "anti-gravity." The Fit on the
Fly™ hipbelt allows you to adjust the hipbelt to make sure that
there is comfortable padding encircling your hips, rather than a
harsh strap. According to Kate, "Osprey has thought their packs
through very well, putting much consideration into where pockets
should be, how it fits your hips, and how comfortably it carries
weight."

A Warm Sleeping Bag

Western Mountaineering Summerlite

When hiking in the spring, temperatures may drop quickly;
in Kate's experience, it snowed quite unexpectedly in Georgia!
Grabbing gear that is versatile is important, and the Summerlite
from Western Mountaineering is the perfect bag for this time of
year. A temperature rating of 32 degrees, means you will be warm on
chilly nights. It is the lightest bag that Western Mountaineering
makes in a continuous baffle construction, weighing in at just 1
pound 3 ounces. It has a full-length zipper, insulated draft
protection, and down fill. Our favorite thing about Western
Mountaineering is that their bags are made right here in the
USA!

A Dependable Headlamp

Black Diamond Storm

If you are going to be in the woods for any period of time, you
don't want to be stuck without a headlamp! This 160-lumen lamp is
waterproof up to 1 meter for 30 minutes, and is truly meant for all
conditions. It features finger tap technology, which allows you to
adjust the brightness with just a tap of your finger on the side of
the touch-sensitive housing. It has five different light modes, and
a lock mode that will keep it from turning on in your pack or
pocket. One of its most innovative features is a three-level power
meter that shows the remaining battery life for 3 seconds after
switching it on. It is very light; with batteries it weighs only
3.9 ounces.

A Lightweight Camp Stove

Olicamp Ion Micro Titanium Stove

If you want to have a picnic on the trail or are hiking overnight,
there are endless meal opportunities with this little stove. The
Ion Micro Titanium Stove is the smallest, most compact, camp stove
out there. It weighs only 1.5 ounces or 45 grams and is incredibly
simple to use, fitting any universal screw-on canisters of
butane/propane mixtures. One canister is more than enough for a
weekend hiking trip. This stove is a must-have for any camping or
hiking trip, especially because its tiny size meaning you won't
even know it's in your pack!

Camping has evolved far beyond the traditional tent and campfire
scenario you envision in your head. There are so many unique
camping styles, both in terms of places to go and ways to camp,
that camping gear has become ultra-specific. Styles range anywhere
from backcountry minimalist to high-end glamping, but with all
preference aside camping still offers a lifetime of memories for
families, friends and loved ones! Read on to learn about the gear
that will benefit each type of camper.

Minimalist

The goal is to hike off the grid, bringing only what is
necessary!

Our Advice for Blending In and Multitasking:

Try hammock camping!
Lighter and quicker to assemble, hammocks can hang anywhere
between two trees. You'll never have to worry about finding dry or
flat ground, and being elevated can lead to a better night's sleep.
Laying on your back with your head raised increases blood
circulation and allows for unobstructed breathing, while being off
the ground eliminates annoying pressure points. Rather than lug
around a tent, sleeping bag, AND pad, a hammock is lightweight and
easily stored.

Cook your meals with ease! The tiny Westwind Stove from Liberty Mountain is
unbelievably quick to assemble and easy to carry. Weighing in at
only 4 ounces, you won't even feel it in your pack. It runs on
rubbing alcohol, which takes up less space than the tanks of gas
that most camp stoves need. This stove will help you save space,
time and weight in your pack!

Purify water instantly! Instead of worrying about
carrying enough water, just refill and filter from any stream or
lake you pass. The new Sawyer Mini Water Filtration System purifies
water instantly so you can drink right through the filter. The
device can easily slip into your pocket, weighing in at 2
ounces.

Take notice of the color of your tent! If you're
camping on the fly, blending into the surrounding environment will
help you hide from any unwanted visitors. The North Face Tadpole
2-person tent has neutral coloring and low profile, maintaining a
reduced footprint and lower height. It's quick and easy to
disassembly and packs down to under 3 pounds.

Ultra-Prepared

Looking to do it all, they're packing all the equipment to enjoy
hiking, biking, and cooking over the campfire!

Our Advice for Staying Organized:

Stick to the campgrounds and go car camping!
Having your car with you is more than convenient-it allows you to
pack all the essentials and more! Most campgrounds let you pull
your car right up to the campsite, so coolers, bikes, and blankets
are easy to reach. Don't be afraid to over-pack!

Take advantage of your roof rack!
Loading the big stuff such as bikes and boards onto your roof
frees up valuable space in your trunk. A THULE Box holds anything
from duffels to frisbees for even more room inside. Another
advantage to racks is that they keep dirt from getting into your
car when it's time to pack up and go home, as dirty equipment like
bikes can go on the roof.

Never run out of battery!
Don't waste power from your car battery to charge your
devices--use the Outdoor Tech Buckshot Pro! This little device has
a USB port to charge your phone and other devices; it also triples
as a flashlight AND a portable speaker! Coming in bright colors
it's easy to spot, so it won't get lost!

Bring all your food and more!
No one wants to leave the campsite for more food, and
strategically packing food and drinks together to stay cold can be
tough! The Tundra 75 by YETI is enormous and has space for all the
meals and beverages you'll need on your trip. If you throw a few
frozen YETI Ice packs into your YETI Tundra, your food and drinks
will stay cold for days--that's right, days.

Long-Term

Camping in comfort, with the whole family in
tow.

Our Advice for Staying Comfortable:

Take advantage of new technology! Camping has come a long way in terms of gear and
technology; our advice is to take advantage of it! There is no need
to rough it anymore; it is easy to make the outdoors feel like home
for an extended period of time. From showers to fridges and even a
kitchen sink, you can live in luxury deep in the woods.

Laundry and dishes can stay clean!
The Sea to Summit Kitchen Sink is great for washing dishes, but
that's not all you can do with it. This pop-up container is perfect
for hand-washing clothes, a quick way to carry water back to your
campsite, and it makes an excellent dog bowl! It's easily
collapsible when empty, and a stiffening ring prevents the bowl
from tipping over when full.

Rinse off after a hot day!
If you're going to be camping for more than a couple of days, you
are going to need a way to stay clean. Some camp showers need to be
hung and offer very minimal pressure, but the Helio Pressure Shower
from NEMO is actually a tank that sits on the ground, with a
handheld hose that offers fantastic pressure. It's not only ideal
for showering, but also for rinsing off your gear, your dog, or
anything that gets dirty!

Some of the best memories of growing up come from summers spent
under the trees, sleeping under the stars, staying up late telling
stories, cheering and singing with people who become lifelong
friends. Whether your child is six years old or sixteen, camp is
the best part about summer. It offers kids the opportunity to try
new activities, meet new people, and experience being away from
home for the first time. We have put together a list of the
important items that every kid needs for camp, all of which you can
get right here at Outdoor Sports Center. We carry everything from
bug repellent clothes to sturdy backpacks to sunscreen, and we only
carry the highest quality items and employ the most knowledgeable
experts. Whether your kids are going to day camp here in Fairfield
County, sleepaway camp in the Berkshires, or a wilderness school
across the country, Outdoor Sports Center is your one-stop-shop for
all things camp!

Swim Goggles

Toiletry Bag and Travel Bottles

Water Bottle
We love Camelbak's wide selection of water bottles, in all styles
and colors.

Bug Spray

Sunscreen

Sunglasses

Towel
The brand PackTowl makes ultra-absorbant towels in all sizes that
are quick drying, making them resistant to mildew. The large and
extra large sizes are big enough to use as full bath towels.

Hand Sanitizer

Headlamp/Flashlight
It's important to have a strong light for navigating in the dark,
telling ghost stories in the cabin, and everything in between. The
Black Diamond Cosmo headlamp is an excellent option for hands-free
light, and the Orbit is a flashlight/lantern combo.

Backpacks
We carry many different styles of packs from many different
brands. Whether your child needs a large backpacking pack, a day
hiking pack, a hydration pack or anything in between, we have got
you covered, and with a variety of options!

Suitcase/Duffel
Patagonia's Black Hole Duffel and The North Face's Base Camp
Duffel are both super sturdy and come in a variety of sizes to hold
everything you need

Poncho

Rain Coat

Sleeping Bag
The Wasatch 45 from North Face is affordable and perfect for
making that camp bunk more comfortable. It's made for summer so it
won't be too hot on those humid nights, but it still works to keep
you cozy and warm when the temperature falls.

Hat

Bandanas

Outer Layers
The Mossbed Softshell Hoodie from The North Face is a
water-resistant windbreaker with a light fleece liner, making it a
perfect summer jacket for all conditions.

Pants and Shorts

Long and Short Sleeve Shirts

Swimsuit

Wool Socks
We recommend wool socks for all outdoor activities, as they wick
away moisture and do not attract bacteria or become smelly as
quickly as other materials do. We carry socks from Smartwool and
Fit that come in a wide range of thicknesses, including lightweight
summer socks.

Bathing Suits

Lip Balm

Hiking Boots

Sneakers

Rain Boots

Sandals
Kids need sandals for summer camp just as much as they need hiking
boots and sneakers. It is important to get sandals that offer some
stability since your kids will likely be walking over rocky paths,
and we carry sandals from Chaco and Keen (and Teva and Birkenstocks
for the bigger kids) that strap in the whole foot.

If your child is attending a wilderness camp that involves
backpacking and sleeping outside rather that in a cabin, here are a
few additional items you would want to add to the above list:

Camping Bowl

Camping Utensils

Large Trekking Backpack
Osprey Ace Series packs are made specifically for young trekkers
and are excellent packs.

Sleeping Pad

Protective Insect Netting

Don't forget to send your kids off with some stationery so that
they can write you letters, and a journal to write about all their
exciting experiences!